Sera followed the trail left behind by the remaining Vaiels army that attacked Orchid Village, her heart consumed by a single purpose—to find Arelus and bring him back.
Every second that passed without him felt like a knife twisting deeper into her chest. She followed the scattered candies left along the path, candies that Runar had secretly given Arelus before. Small pieces of sweetness turned into desperate signs of hope.
Her son had left them for her. He knew she would come.
But the Vaiels army moved too quickly.
No matter how hard she pushed forward, no matter how little she rested, the distance between them remained cruelly out of reach. Her search eventually led her to Ormr Fortress—the heart of Vaiels Territory.
The sight of it alone was enough to make ordinary people lose courage.
Massive stone walls towered into the sky like cliffs built for war. Guards stood watch across every corner, armed and alert, while countless Vaiels warriors roamed the fortress grounds like predators guarding their territory. The air itself felt hostile.
But Sera was not afraid.
Fear had long stopped controlling her.
For two days, she remained hidden inside the fortress, disguising herself as a physician while secretly searching every possible place for Arelus. She moved carefully through the fortress halls, blending into the routines of the people around her, her face calm despite the panic raging beneath her skin.
Every second without seeing her son alive made her chest tighten harder.
At the dungeons where the captives were kept, Sera casually slipped inside carrying a tray of tea for the guards. The cries of frightened children echoed faintly behind the iron bars, making her heartbeat quicken painfully.
"Hi," Sera greeted with a gentle smile, masking everything behind it. "I was ordered to give this to you… for your health."
As she spoke, her eyes quietly wandered toward the cells, searching desperately among the children locked inside.
"Put that here," one of the warriors ordered lazily.
Sera placed the cups down on the table while continuing to glance toward the prisoners.
But Arelus was not there.
Her chest tightened painfully.
Where are you, son?
"Hey, aren't you finished?"
One of the guards frowned at her suspiciously, his tone sharper now.
"Yeah… sorry."
Sera picked up her tray, forcing herself to stay calm despite the dread crawling through her veins.
Then another warrior entered the dungeon.
"Where's the boy?" one of the guards asked him immediately.
"The general kept him in his quarters," the warrior answered casually. "He said the boy was too smart to be a servant."
Quarters.
The word alone sharpened Sera's focus instantly.
She quietly left the dungeon after hearing their conversation, certain now that the boy they were talking about was Arelus.
That night, under the cover of darkness, Sera located the general's quarters and silently slipped inside, a dagger hidden tightly in her hand. Her movements were light and careful, almost ghostlike as she searched the room.
Books were scattered everywhere—across the table, across the floor.
But Arelus was nowhere to be seen.
Then her eyes landed on something near the floor.
A candy.
Sera immediately picked it up.
It was the same candy she had followed along the trail leading to the fortress.
Arelus.
A painful ache spread through her chest.
Her son had truly been there.
She slowly lifted her head to continue searching the room—
Then stopped.
Someone was behind her.
Sera spun around instantly, her eyes widening the moment she saw the man standing there.
Clapping.
Laughing.
Applauding her.
"Lurion," Sera uttered coldly, tightening her grip around the dagger.
"Wow." Lurion continued clapping mockingly as he walked further inside. "It was only a hunch… I never thought I would actually be right."
He sat down lazily on a chair, crossing his legs while biting lightly against his thumb, his eyes roaming over Sera with unsettling amusement.
"When I saw the boy," he began slowly, "he reminded me so much of Azron when he was young." A dark smile spread across his lips. "Their eyes… exactly the same."
Sera's fingers tightened harder around the dagger.
"And his stare…" Lurion continued, his gaze sharpening. "It was just like yours." He laughed softly. "Deadly."
He leaned back further into the chair.
"That's when I knew." His eyes darkened with satisfaction. "The boy was yours."
A dangerous grin slowly spread across his face.
"And if he was yours… surely you would come for him."
His laughter echoed across the room.
"And I was right."
The sound made Sera's vision slightly blur—not from fear for herself, but from terror for her son.
Of everyone who could have recognized Arelus as Azron's child…
Why did it have to be him?
Their greatest enemy.
"You know," Lurion continued casually, "you really impressed me." His eyes narrowed slightly. "How did you survive?" He tilted his head. "I always knew you were skilled… but surviving the Spine River?" He laughed softly under his breath. "That was truly unbelievable."
"Where is he?" Sera asked calmly.
Her voice did not shake.
She refused to let him see her fear.
Lurion slowly stood from his seat and walked toward her.
But Sera did not step back.
Nor did she attack.
Because she knew one thing clearly—
Arelus was in his hands.
Lurion stopped only inches away from her. His breath brushed against her face as he leaned closer, invading her space deliberately. Then he reached for her hand and slowly took the dagger from her grasp.
Sera let go.
Not because she feared him.
But because she could not risk provoking him.
Her surrender only made Lurion smirk wider.
In his mind—
He had already won.
"He's fine…" Lurion murmured as he lifted his hand and gently touched her chin. "…as long as you behave."
Sera's face remained still.
Emotionless.
But beneath her calm eyes was a violent desire to kill him with her bare hands.
Lurion noticed the deadly stare fixed on him and chuckled softly.
"I always liked this look of yours." His voice lowered dangerously. "Beautiful… and terrifying."
His fingers lingered slightly against her skin.
"If you hadn't killed my brother," he continued with a smile, "I might have stolen you away from Azron and married you myself."
He stepped even closer until their bodies nearly touched.
Sera immediately stepped back.
But Lurion followed.
Again.
And again.
Until her back finally pressed against the wall and his body towered over hers completely.
He lowered his head beside her ear, his voice dropping into a whisper.
"But what you did to Loran…" His tone darkened. "…was unforgivable."
Then—
He kissed her cheek.
Just a brief peck.
But it made Sera's blood run cold with fury.
Lurion stepped away from her casually and returned to his chair like nothing happened.
I'll kill you for that.
Sera took a slow breath, forcing herself not to move, not to let her rage consume her too early.
"What do you want?" she asked, digging her nails against her palm to suppress the urge to slit his throat where he sat.
Lurion leaned back comfortably, his eyes never leaving her.
"Azron must know by now that you're here." His smile slowly returned. "And knowing his temper…" He chuckled darkly. "…he'll definitely attack."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"You will be the one to kill him."
Sera froze.
For the first time since entering the fortress, her composure cracked.
Her eyes widened slightly, her breathing catching painfully in her throat.
Kill him?
Tears slowly formed in her eyes before she could stop them.
"I'm the one who killed your brother," Sera said quietly, stepping forward. "Kill me instead." Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it. "Release my son."
Lurion slowly shook his head.
"That would be too easy." His expression darkened. "You need to choose what life will pay for your sins."
He smiled coldly.
"Azron's… or your son's."
Sera's chest tightened violently.
"Kill Azron," Lurion continued, "and I'll let you and the boy go free."
Then his eyes turned cruel.
"Refuse… and your son dies."
"How would I know you'll keep your word?" Sera asked, her voice barely controlled now.
Lurion's expression became serious.
"One thing you should know about Vaiels…" His gaze sharpened. "…we always keep our promises."
He stood up once more.
"Stay here," he ordered lightly. "I'll send someone to prepare you for Lord Mort's arrival." His smile widened mockingly. "Make yourself beautiful." He laughed softly. "It's your reunion after all."
Then he turned and walked out of the room laughing.
The moment the door closed—
Sera collapsed to the floor.
Her hand pressed tightly against her chest as her breathing finally lost control. The fear she had hidden from Lurion crashed over her violently now that she was alone.
Her hands trembled.
Her thoughts spiraled endlessly.
She could not let Arelus die.
But she could never kill Azron.
Tears blurred her vision as she held her head, forcing herself to think despite the panic threatening to drown her.
Then slowly—
Her breathing steadied.
The fear inside her hardened into resolve.
Her eyes lifted, no longer trembling.
She would give Lurion what he wanted to see.
But killing Azron had never been an option.
If someone had to die—
It would be Lurion.
...
Mort Army stood at a distance from Ormr Fortress, stretching across the vast plains like a dark sea of steel. Thousands of warriors sat atop their horses, gripping their weapons firmly as cold wind swept through the battlefield. Armor clinked softly against armor, banners danced violently beneath the gray skies, and the air itself felt heavy with bloodlust before the fight had even begun.
Then the massive gates of Ormr Fortress slowly opened.
The sound echoed across the land like thunder.
Vaiels army marched out from within the fortress walls, row after row of heavily armed warriors stepping into formation with terrifying discipline. Their black armor reflected beneath the dim sunlight while their horses stomped harshly against the ground. They looked like a tide of death pouring out from the fortress itself.
Mort and Vaiels.
Two monstrous armies standing before each other once again.
Equally powerful.
Equally deadly.
Their numbers nearly the same.
Lord Lurion rode his horse toward the frontline, his dark cloak swaying behind him as confidence radiated from his posture. His eyes were sharp and amused, like he had already prepared himself for the chaos about to unfold.
From the opposite side, Azron rode forward as well.
The moment he appeared at the center of the battlefield, silence slowly spread across Mort Army. Their Lord sat tall upon his horse, his armor gleaming beneath the daylight, his gaze colder than winter itself. The wind brushed through his dark hair as his eyes locked onto Lurion without wavering.
The two warlords faced each other at the center of the battlefield.
Behind them stood their armies.
Behind them stood thousands willing to die for them.
The tension between the two sides became suffocating.
Mort generals remained mounted behind Azron, their horses still as statues while their sharp gazes carefully watched every movement around their Lord. Their hands rested near their weapons, prepared to strike the moment danger came near him.
No one trusted Vaiels.
Especially not Lurion.
"Azron…" Lurion smirked as he stopped his horse a few distances away. "Finally…after a very long time."
His voice carried amusement, but beneath it lingered years of hatred and rivalry.
Azron stared at him coldly.
"You know why I am here." His voice was deep and firm, carrying across the battlefield with ease. "Return what you took…and I'll give you mercy."
The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere turned even heavier.
Lurion laughed loudly as he shook his head, clearly entertained.
"What a challenge!" He raised his voice further for both armies to hear. "I'll give that to you…a one-on-one fight!"
Vaiels army erupted into cheers and loud stomps of approval.
Weapons raised.
Horses neighed wildly.
The battlefield trembled beneath the noise.
Then Lurion's expression slowly shifted.
The amusement faded from his face as his eyes locked onto Azron with something darker.
"Will the Lord of Mort accept?"
Azron smirked coldly.
"Bring it on."
The answer made Mort warriors grip their weapons tighter.
Lurion smiled widely.
Slowly, he raised one hand.
At once, a group of Vaiels cavalry warriors began approaching behind him.
The movement immediately alarmed Mort generals.
General Jidu and the others instantly moved their horses closer toward Azron, their eyes narrowing sharply as tension exploded across both armies.
Weapons shifted.
Bows tightened.
Thousands of warriors prepared themselves for sudden bloodshed.
Then the cavalry warriors slowly scattered apart.
And Azron's world stopped.
There, riding a horse between them, was Sera.
Azron's breath caught violently inside his chest.
She wore a bright red dress that flowed against the wind, her hair carefully arranged, her appearance breathtaking amidst the sea of armor and death surrounding her. Like a crimson rose blooming in the middle of a battlefield.
Beautiful.
Fragile.
And utterly out of place among monsters.
"Sera…"
The whisper escaped Azron's lips before he could stop himself.
Longing crashed into him all at once.
Six years.
Six painful years of searching.
Six years of grief, guilt, and emptiness.
And now she was finally standing before him.
Alive.
Azron's fingers tightened around the lead rope of his horse as emotion overwhelmed him. His chest ached painfully while his eyes remained locked on her face, terrified that if he blinked, she might disappear again.
General Rin almost moved forward the moment he saw Sera.
But General Jidu immediately stopped him.
"Not yet."
Runar stood frozen behind them, his hands curling tightly as he stared at Sera dressed like a prisoner being displayed before the enemy.
Azron's jaw tightened.
A low growl escaped him when Lurion slowly moved closer to Sera.
"Right…" Lurion smiled cruelly. "I never said that you'll be fighting me."
His gaze shifted toward Azron while his fingers slowly stroked Sera's hair.
The gesture made Mort generals' faces darken instantly.
Even the warriors behind Azron visibly stiffened.
Then realization struck everyone.
Lurion wanted Sera and Azron to fight each other.
Azron looked at Sera again.
His gaze softened despite the fury burning inside him.
There was apology in his eyes.
Pain.
Longing.
Relief.
But Sera remained completely still.
Her expression stayed calm and unreadable, her face controlled despite the storm inside her heart. She could not react. She could not break.
Not while Arelus was still in their hands.
"Look behind you," Lurion whispered near her ear.
Sera slowly turned her head.
And there—
Arelus stood in the middle of Vaiels army.
Huge Vaiels warriors surrounded the small child like towering walls of steel.
The sight nearly shattered her composure.
Arelus blinked as his eyes landed on her.
"Mom…" he whispered weakly.
Tears immediately rolled down his cheeks.
Sera's breathing faltered violently.
Her body instinctively tried to move toward him, but Lurion's hand suddenly gripped her shoulder tightly, stopping her.
"Remember…" he whispered darkly beside her. "Your son's life…or Azron's."
Azron's hands trembled at the sight before him.
His son.
His wife.
Both standing captured by the enemy while he could do nothing.
The helplessness tore through him like blades.
He had spent years searching for Sera.
Years hoping to see her again.
But their reunion had become another nightmare.
His chest tightened painfully as rage and grief crashed together inside him. And despite the deadly fury burning across his face—
Tears finally fell from Azron's eyes.